Shot on the icy waters of Tutka Bay in Alaska, the footage shows the moment a mother sea otter leaps aboard a motorboat to escape the jaws of killer whales.

Seconds after the animal clambers onto the the safety of a platform at the back of the small vessel a huge killer whale can be seen bursting through the surface of the water in an attempt to eat the otter.

The boat provides respite for the frightened mother, but her baby is left with the near impossible challenge of fighting off the deadly attackers herself.

According to the film which has been posted on YouTube, the helpless baby is caught and eaten by one of the predators and the seemingly distraught mother is seen letting out high-pitched wails.

After the motorboat carries her away from the scene, the otter jumps back in the water and desperately tries to find her offspring but to no avail.